Dear sisters and brothers,

I cordially welcome all of you and deeply congratulate on opening of the fine Medical-Diagnostic Center. It is an advanced medical institution constructed in Azerbaijan for last years. As you know, the medical-diagnostic centers are under construction in various regions of Azerbaijan. Today, the first medical-diagnostic center opens in Lankaran. It is remarkable, very significant event. I can tell also, that, having visited today this Center, I was convinced that it meets the highest world standards. Both construction works, and the equipment established here reflect the high technologies of the world. I am convinced, that in this Medical-Diagnostic Center equipped with the modern equipment by one of the most advanced companies of the world - “Siemens”, inhabitants of Lankaran and adjoining areas will be provided with the highest health services.

Construction of this Center is extremely significant event as reflects today's realities of Azerbaijan. Today, Azerbaijan is intensively enough and dynamically developing country. We see this development in all areas, first, in social sphere, as this sphere demands the biggest attention. Increase of the standard of living of people, improvement of work conditions, liquidation of unemployment, construction of schools and hospitals, certainly, define potential of the general development of the country. Today, economic opportunities of Azerbaijan create for us such conditions. The economy of Azerbaijan intensively develops, all our large projects are successfully implemented. Oil strategy of great leader Heydar Aliyev already shows its potential in Azerbaijan. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will provide long-term strategy of development of Azerbaijan. The means accumulated in the State Oil Fund go on improvement of well being of Azerbaijan people and development of economy.

As you know, this Medical-Diagnostic Center was constructed also by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. The history of the given event to you, probably, is known, and it was noted earlier. When in the beginning of 2004, there was an accident, I have arrived in Lankaran, have met here patients and have seen that conditions in hospital unimportant. After that, there was an idea on necessity of creation in Lankaran a new modern medical center. In September of the last year, we together with you have laid foundation stone of the Center and today we mark opening of it.

It testifies that all decisions made by us find reflection in life, all the planned programs are executed, and in short terms and according to the highest world standards. Today, in Azerbaijan, there is no analogue of this hospital, as you know, first such hospital in Azerbaijan is constructed in Lankaran. I wish to note also, that today in Azerbaijan various projects are carried out. Including in regions, construction of new power stations has already begun. The first of them we have built in the south region - Astara, and together opened it. It, as a whole, is a greater contribution to development of southern region. The infrastructure projects, new power stations, lining of roads, construction of schools, hospitals, the diagnostic centers will promote all-around development of region. As you know, on my initiative, an airport is being constructed in Lankaran. I have given the instruction: the new airport should meet the highest world standards, and receive the international status. The runway also should meet the highest world standards to receive large aircrafts. Construction is underway, and in the near future the Lankaran International Airport also will be put in operation.

As you know, development of regions defines the basic direction of our policy, development of each region and creation of new infrastructure, as a whole, certainly, strengthen our country, raise standard of living of the population of regions and provide economic development of Azerbaijan.

Our successful oil strategy yields fruit. Today, the basic attention is given to development of non-oil sector. Our economy should be diversified, new workplaces more quickly should open. With feeling of deep pride I can tell, that in last two years, in Azerbaijan, 435 thousand new workplaces has been opened.

Reduction of poverty also is carried out within the frame of extremely important program, together with the international financial structures. I am convinced that, that as a result of execution of the program in Azerbaijan there will be no needy person. Every year the wages rise and the wages will rise. We have for this purpose, certain economic opportunities. Economic development defines all.

Without economic potential, we could not construct this fine Medical-Diagnostic Center. If we shall have no economic force, today, in Azerbaijan it would be impossible to conduct large-scale work on creation and accomplishment. We see it on example of Lankaran.

Last time I was in Lanakaran in February of current year and today once again became the witness of the work done since then. Huge creative work is conducted. Main area of Lankaran is updated, laid new roads and equipped with modern conveniences, and the infrastructure of city is updated. This remarkable coastal zone equips with modern conveniences also. That is all this demands economic potential, execution of the budget, growth of receipts in the budget, strengthening of financial discipline, and perhaps, rational use of received means.

During operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, product of great leader Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan will turn to very rich state. Our economic opportunities will increase so, that all problems in the country will find solution. We already see it - the work carried out in all regions on accomplishment and creation, construction of the main roads. I can tell, that in the near future it is planned to reconstruct the main road Baku-Astara. It, on the one hand, will serve convenience of region, people, and on another, will play extremely important role in development of infrastructure of Azerbaijan as a whole. However, there are also other roads. In northern direction, the main road is laid, and the road to the western direction is under construction. In Lankaran, Ganja, Zagatala, the new airports, schools, hospitals are under construction. It also is today's reality of Azerbaijan. It testifies to opportunities, potential of our country.

It is necessary for all of us to aspire to the further strengthening our Motherland, and we should make it richer. I always spoke and I wish to repeat: if problems of each region, each village will find solution, it means that will be solved all problems existing in the country. We are engaged these affairs. All points stipulated by the State Program of Social and Economic Development of Regions are executed in due time and at high level. Besides, considering that the program has been accepted in the beginning of 2004, and in this period there appeared new questions, we regularly amend the program. For example, construction of this Diagnostic Center has not been stipulated in the Program of Social and Economic Development of Regions. We have included it later. There was no also construction of Lankaran airport. Wide scope, today, as you know, has received the construction of schools. At the same time, the program did not provide construction of such quantity of schools. That is, we in our daily activity make changes to all programs, so that the work was conducted in higher rates.

Imagine that the state budget of Azerbaijan has been increased twice during a year. Next year it will raise more. We shall have more opportunities and the budget expenses are directed first towards social problems of people. Both the wages and pensions will be raised this year as well, at the same time, next year big infrastructure projects will be implemented.

Now, energy safety is of great importance for steady economic development of Azerbaijan. For this purpose, in all areas of Azerbaijan, new power stations are built, paved roads, laid gas lines, and water lines should be laid and will be laid. I know that one of the key problems in regions is supply with drinking water. We shall solve this problem, too. All these demand means and Azerbaijan does all these itself, on its own strength. Our potential enables to realize great projects and enrich our country increasingly, to make successful the economic development of Azerbaijan. I believe in this, and know that this will happen. It is because all the programs accepted will be realized. All promises we give are realized, and if there is unity between word and deed, the things go successfully.

We do all these works together and will do further. We carry out this policy with support of people and I have no doubt that Azerbaijan’s future will be brighter, and the people will live better. Now, unemployment is being reduced, and the poverty will be abolished. Living standards of people should continuously be improved, and the wages, pensions will be increased. We give great importance to this, because we are not satisfied with the state in this field. Our economy yet does not allow the people to get enough wages, and pensions. However, it increases year by year, but the minimum wages do not allow them to provide their minimum demand. The minimal wage is the minimum level. One who gets the minimum wage should live in minimum level. We try for this and I am confident that in short time we shall achieve this.

Development of this region is very important for Azerbaijan. Lankaran has always been an active area of the Republic. Lankaran’s residents have always made their contributions to all-round development of Azerbaijan. Especially, in the independent years, you have played great role in strengthening of Azerbaijani statehood. And today it is obvious. All-round development of this region is big contribution to our independence. Azerbaijan’s sovereignty is eternal, irreversible, and strengthens day by day. As strong is our economic power, it will be easy to pursue independent policy.

Dear friends, I once again cordially congratulate you on this nice event. Today I am very pleased that in short time such a nice medical enterprise has been created in Lankaran. I wish nobody fell ill, and all were healthy. And in case of illness, you can receive good treatment in this center. Once again I congratulate you, wish you health, happiness. Thanks.